Menuhin Competition

The Menuhin Competition Trust is a UK registered charity. Since 1983 it has consistently attracted some of the greatest violin talents from all over the world and brought them together in an exceptional atmosphere of learning and exchange. Dubbed ‘the Olympics of the Violin’, the Menuhin Competition is the world’s leading competition for young musicians under the age of 22. Many of its prizewinners have gone on to successful international careers.

Yehudi Menuhin’s key to success was his excellent music education as a child and his ongoing dialogue and collaboration with fellow musicians. To enable young violinists from all over the world to have an equally enriching and stimulating environment, he founded the Yehudi Menuhin School in England in 1963, the Menuhin Music Academy in Gstaad/Switzerland in 1977 and the Menuhin Competition in Folkestone/Britain in 1983.

The Menuhin Competition is traditionally invited by a host city or a host organisation and has been held in London/England, Cardiff/Wales, Oslo/Norway, Beijing/China and Austin/Texas (in 2014). It returned to the UK in 2016, taking place in London from 7-17 April 2016 to celebrate the centenary of Yehudi Menuhin’s birth, and will be held in Geneva/Switzerland from 12-22 April 2018.

Information

Organiser

Menuhin Competition UK

Cycle

Every two years

Age range

1-22 (2 age categories)

Structure

Pre-selection by video recording followed by three rounds.

Rules

The Competition is open to violinists of any nationality under the age of 22. Junior competitors must be under 16 years of age and senior competitors under 22 years of age on the 22 April 2018 (everybody born after 22 April 1996). Violinists aged 22 April 2018 may also enter the Senior Section. The Jury will be composed of internationally renowned musicians. All decisions of the Jury will be final. The Jury reserves the right to withhold any prize should the required standard not be achieved. Once a candidate has won 1st Prize, he or she will not be eligible to enter the same section again. All music must be played from memory and without repeats unless otherwise indicated. Laureates must agree to perform without a fee at the Gala Concert. All competitors must agree to perform without a fee at other events during the Competition. Additionally, the Competition reserves the right to broadcast, record, videotape and/or film any part of the Competition events. The Competition also reserves the right to share information about applicants and competitors with selected partner organisations.

Repertoire

More details about the required repertoire and application information you can find here.

Prizes

Senior Section

1st Prize CHF 15,000

2nd Prize: CHF 10,000

3rd Prize: CHF 7,000

4th Prize: CHF 4,000

Bach Prize: CHF 1,000

Chamber Music Award: CHF 1,000

Composer Award: CHF 1,000

Audience Prize: CHF 1,000

Junior Section

1st Prize: CHF 10,000

2nd Prize: CHF 7,000

3rd Prize:CHF 5,000

4th Prize: CHF 3,000

5th Prize: CHF 2,000

Chamber Music Award: CHF 1,000

Composer Award: CHF 1,000

Audience Prize: CHF 1,000

Additional prizes

The Jonathan Moulds Award for Outstanding Potential, in conjunction with Beare’s International Violin Society,a 2-year loan of a very fine period Stradivarius violin from the private collection of Jonathan Moulds CBE

The Jane Ng Award for an exceptional young artist with a distinctive voice, a 2-year loan of a G. B. Guadagnini from the private collection of Jane Ng

The EMCY Prize for Exceptional Performance, awarded by the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY)